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THE SOLUTION
A Smarter Ventilation Approach for Education
Cheetah introduces intelligent, demand‑responsive control to ventilation systems, automatically adjusting fan speeds in line with real occupancy and activity levels. Airflow is reduced during breaks, between lessons, study periods, and low‑use times, while full ventilation is delivered instantly when spaces are occupied.
Significant Energy Savings at Part Load
By dynamically controlling fan speeds, substantial energy reductions are achieved during low‑demand periods. Fan energy reductions of up to 80% can be achieved at off‑peak times, with typical average savings of 50–60% across the operating day, depending on building use. This delivers meaningful reductions in energy consumption and operating costs across large estates.
Replacing Fixed Schedules with Real‑Time Optimisation
Cheetah removes reliance on rigid timetables and bulk time schedules, replacing them with continuous, real‑time optimisation. Ventilation output responds automatically to changing occupancy patterns, cancelled sessions, partial use, and holiday operation — ensuring energy is only used when genuinely required.
Consistent Performance Without Manual Intervention
By automating control, Cheetah eliminates the need for staff or facilities teams to manage ventilation manually. This ensures consistent, repeatable performance, reduces operational burden, and avoids energy waste caused by systems being left at elevated settings.
Supporting Sustainability and Net Zero Objectives
Reduced ventilation energy consumption directly lowers operational carbon emissions, supporting institutional sustainability strategies, Net Zero targets, and ESG reporting requirements — while also improving long‑term estate efficiency.
EDUCATION‑Focused Summary
For education environments with variable occupancy and extended operating hours, demand‑responsive ventilation delivers:
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Reduced energy consumption and operating costs
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Improved part‑load efficiency across the estate
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Elimination of fixed schedules and manual control
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Quieter, more comfortable learning spaces
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Measurable carbon and sustainability benefits
Cheetah enables ventilation systems to respond intelligently to how education spaces are actually used — delivering efficiency, comfort, and control without adding operational complexity.
Cheetah turns ventilation into a quietly efficient system that works in the background — reducing cost, carbon, and complexity across education estates.
The Challenge in Educational Environments
Ventilation Operating Independently of Actual Use
In many educational buildings, ventilation systems operate at fixed or pre‑set levels throughout the school or academic day. Whether spaces are fully occupied, lightly used, or empty between lessons, airflow often remains unchanged — leading to persistent over‑ventilation during periods of reduced demand.
Long Operating Hours with Variable Occupancy
Educational facilities typically operate across extended daily hours, with early starts, after‑school activities, evening classes, and weekend use. Occupancy levels fluctuate significantly between lesson changes, breaks, and term schedules, yet ventilation systems are commonly enabled for the full timetable, resulting in unnecessarily high energy consumption across long run times.
Static Control via Timers and Timetables
Where controls are in place, these are often based on BMS timers or fixed schedules aligned to assumed class times. These static control strategies cannot respond to real‑time occupancy, partial classroom use, study periods, or cancelled sessions. As a result, ventilation continues to operate at elevated levels when demand is low, undermining energy efficiency.
Reliance on Manual Control
In some environments, ventilation performance depends on manual intervention by facilities teams or staff. In busy educational settings, ventilation adjustments are understandably not prioritised, leading to systems running continuously at higher outputs than required — particularly once set for peak use.
Cost, Carbon, and Learning Environment Impact
The combined effect is higher energy costs, increased carbon emissions, and unnecessary wear on plant. Continuous high‑speed operation can also introduce avoidable noise, which may negatively impact teaching, learning, and staff comfort — particularly in classrooms, libraries, and study spaces.